Chapter 11 #2
She sipped and let the beverage roll through her mouth. “This might be the best I’ve had. What is that hint of spice? It’s literally on the tip of my tongue.”
He considered it. “Cloves.”
“That’s it.” She nodded. “Why don’t we go down this side of the aisle first, and return along the other side when we head back?”
They ate the fudge as they moved to the next booth. Finely-carved wood puzzle boxes and jewelry boxes were arranged on one side of the stall. Old-fashioned carved toy trains, airplanes, and cars were arranged on the opposite side.
“My sisters would love the puzzle boxes.” She glanced at Grady. “I’m going to end up spending all my money on the first couple of stalls.”
“They’re very nice.” He looked over the display and returned his gaze to hers. “Do you want to wait until we’ve looked at more booths?”
She shook her head. “These are perfect. I buy my brothers and sisters more than one gift each, so if I find more in other booths, that’s great, too.
” She smiled. “I’ve never gotten past buying them tons of gifts for Christmas each year, although I have tapered back a bit.
” Her grandmother hadn’t allowed the kids to celebrate the holiday, and Chelsea had probably overcompensated when she took over raising her siblings.
As they moved through the stalls, she met his eyes and their gazes lingered, and her belly fluttered at the warmth in his gaze, like he was exactly where he wanted to be—which was wherever she was. The same feeling gripped her heart. It felt so right being with him.
She looked at the next booth, which showcased beautiful paintings, and the one after that included crocheted baby clothes and assorted other crocheted items, including potholders, doll dresses, and colorful throws.
When she looked at the baby clothes, she thought about having a child of her own. She and George hadn’t been able to conceive, and now she was almost in her mid-thirties. Her biological clock was ticking away.
Chelsea glanced at Grady and wondered how their relationship would progress.
Would it last, or was it a short attempt at something more?
She looked around her at all the holiday hustle and bustle.
She enjoyed her time with Grady but wasn’t in a hurry to get into a serious relationship.
Was this week sending them charging toward something they wanted to make last, much too fast?
She mentally shook her head and continued down the aisle with the good-looking and sweet man at her side.
They mingled at or passed by stalls with items made from mixed media art, one with metal sculptures, and another stall that featured bookends crafted from polished geodes with sparkling crystals within.
As they shopped, Chelsea accumulated a few bags containing more purchases, which Grady insisted on carrying. He had finished his shopping when they went to Scottsdale, but she could always find something more for her siblings.
Among her purchases were a hand-carved ornament of a Christmas tree with gifts at its feet for herself, handmade soaps that smelled of honeysuckle for her sisters, and hand-tooled leather belts for her brothers.
Chelsea breathed in the chill air as they strolled along the aisle. “I love Christmas craft fairs.”
He gave her a teasing look. “I noticed.”
She grinned back at him. “Hard not to.”
At the end of the aisle was a park that contained a holiday-themed bounce house and carnival games, bobbing for apples, pin the tail on the reindeer, and an area for kids to make Christmas crafts. At the far end, a line of kids waited to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.
Chelsea smiled to herself, remembering her brothers as they waited to see Santa. They’d been so cute, still young enough to visit the jolly old elf when she took over raising them. The girls had been past that age by then.
Grady tugged her toward a snow-globe photo booth. “Let’s have our picture taken.”
“I’m game.” She didn’t have a picture of Grady, and it would be fun to have a photo together.
They waited in line until it was their turn. They stepped in front of an enormous snow globe backdrop and moved into the frame in front of it. Chelsea giggled as Grady grabbed her in a clinch pose. Then he laughed and put his arm around her waist, and they grinned at the camera.
A few moments later, they were in another line and soon made their way to the counter, where they found their photo. They did look like they were in the middle of a Christmas snow globe.
“It’s adorable.” Chelsea smiled up at him. “Let’s get two.”
After he paid, Grady added the bag to the rest of their purchases—most of which were Chelsea’s.
They casually strolled back the way they came, on the opposite side of the aisle. They came to a booth with beautiful hand-carved nativity sets and Christmas décor. Next was a booth selling gorgeous handmade quilts, where Chelsea picked out a lap quilt for her living room couch.
“Planning on slowing down?” Grady looked at her over the armload of bags he was carrying, and his lips quirked. “My arms are getting kinda full.”
She flashed him a grin. “You make the best pack mule.”
They reached a kitchen supplies stall that included handmade holiday potholders and bowl cozies, as well as a couple of Christmas cookie cutters that she didn’t have in her collection. “Oooh, I could use the Santa and a reindeer.” She also bought a couple of Santa potholders.
Chelsea forced herself not to buy from any more booths, even though she was so tempted to get a dreamcatcher at a stall filled with several of them, as well as lovely Native American jewelry.
When they exited the craft fair, Chelsea blew out a breath that fogged in the chill night air. “That was fun.”
“One thing I’ve learned about you this week,” Grady said with an amused expression, “is that you do enjoy shopping.”
“And I’ve learned that you make an excellent shopping companion.” She tipped her head to look up at him as they fell into step. “I’ve never had my arms so free to shop before.”
He chuckled. “Ready to head home?”
Chelsea sighed with a happy exhaustion. “It’s been a wonderful evening. I’ve really enjoyed spending it with you.”
Grady gave her a thoughtful smile. “It’s crazy. We’ve spent so much time together, and I always can’t wait to see you again.”
“I feel the same way.” She swung the large bag with the lap quilt. “Tomorrow is our last night of the bet.”
He heaved a dramatic sigh. “I won’t know what to do with myself the next night I’m alone.”
They crossed the street toward the location where they’d parked the car. “Do you go back on duty Monday morning?”
“Bright and early.”
She stepped over a curb alongside Grady. “How do shifts work for a firefighter?”
“At KCFD, we work 24 on /48 off shifts, meaning twenty-four hours on and forty-eight off.” He slowed as they neared his SUV. “In Seattle, we worked 24 on/48 off followed by 24 on/96 off in a rotating pattern.”
“You never have the same days off—it always changes.”
“Pretty much.” Grady shrugged. “But I like how the time balances out.”
They reached the passenger side of the SUV, and he set the bags down to open the rear door, then loaded the packages onto the backseats. Chelsea handed the couple she carried to him, and he added those to the pile.
He closed the door, and she moved in close and looped her arms around his neck and hugged him. She studied his expression, seeing the enjoyment of the day in his expression. “Thank you for a great time. I’ve never had so much fun as I’ve had with you.”
“It’s the same for me, honey.” He kissed her, then raised his head. “Let’s get you in the car and warmed up. You’re as cold as a popsicle.”
“I feel like one.” She climbed into her seat with his assistance, and he shut the door behind her.
He slid into the driver’s seat, started the vehicle, and turned on the heater. In a few moments, the cab began to warm up.
Chelsea leaned back in her seat, sinking against the leather, feeling tired. “I’ll sleep well tonight.”
Grady put the Nissan into gear and pulled out onto the street. “That makes two of us.”
He glanced at her, smiled, and took her hand in his. She smiled back, then enjoyed just being with him on the quiet ride back to King Creek.